Skip to content

Sharpen Your Writing Skills

Improve your opportunities in life by learning to write well. In this class, we'll study writing fundamentals, skills and strategies, and then put them to practice. You'll expand your skill set by learning how to write literary analyses, persuasive arguments and narrative essays. You'll learn useful strategies for tackling high school writing tasks and college admissions essays. Develop the tools to edit your own work more effectively and gain a new understanding of the English language.

What You'll Learn

  • How to write analytical, argumentative and narrative essays
  • Ways to employ a variety of rhetorical approaches that align with your writing goals
  • Strategies to help you feel more comfortable with timed, in-class writing assignments
  • Tips for writing a winning college admissions essay

Who Should Register

This course is for ninth to 11th graders. It's not a creative writing course, and it's not for those who need remedial writing help. All students should have a high level of English language proficiency.

Instructor

Jennie Baker
Jennifer Cuffman

More Information

The in-person section is taught on the UW Seattle campus. We recommend bringing a laptop to class if you have one. 

The online section is taught using Zoom. Classes meet in real time and are not recorded. To participate, you should have access to a computer with a high-speed internet connection and a headset and webcam. 

There’s now a nonrefundable $50 registration fee each quarter you register. See the FAQs page for details about registration, refunds, waitlists and more. 

Earn a Digital Badge

After participating in this course, you can claim a Youth & Teen Programs digital badge that you can highlight on college and job applications and share on social media.

Details

Jun 30–Jul 11, 2025
1B
no class Jul 4 		Day
Mon–Fri 		Time
1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Location
Online 		Cost
$700
Refund Deadline
Jun 1, 2025 		Register

Jul 14–Jul 25, 2025
2B
 Day
Mon–Fri 		Time
1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Location
UW Seattle 		Cost
$780
Refund Deadline
Jun 1, 2025 		Waitlist